Jackalope: A new tale of travel

A personal project of 28-year-old Melbourne-based entrepreneur, Louis Li, the hotel champions a conceptual sensibility to art, design, dining and storytelling — creating a delicate interplay between the ideal and the surreal.

Conceived in partnership with some of Australia’s preeminent creatives — including architectural firm Carr Design Group and multi-disciplinary studio, Fabio Ongarato Design — Li has produced an exemplar of contemporary design.

Jackalope’s 46 rooms comprise 38-square-metre ‘Terrace’ or ‘Vineyard View’ categories through to 85-square-metre ‘Lairs’. Floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces connect guests to the rural surrounds, while inside, furniture has been handcrafted by Melbourne designers and manufacturers, Zuster. Bathrooms include black Japanese tubs, double vanities and bath products made exclusively for the hotel by Hunter Lab.

A collection of art, created specifically for the site, guides guests through the hotel’s narrative —starting with a seven-metre-tall namesake Jackalope sculpted by Melbourne artist, Emily Floyd, upon entry to the hotel.

Among gardens landscaped by Taylor Cullity Lethlean, a black 30-metre infinity pool laps up to the surrounding vineyard, with an adjacent poolside pavilion available for spa treatments or private dining.

Executive Chef, Guy Stanaway, is at the helm of the hotel’s two restaurants. Destination fine dining, Doot Doot Doot, presents Australia’s finest produce in a menu intrinsically linked to the land, while cellar door, Rare Hare, celebrates the hotel’s own working winery — providing immersive wine experiences for guests. With an array of culinary experiences available on property, Jackalope delivers a perfect taste of the Peninsula’s palate.